§ 72. Mr. JOWETTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War, concerning Private R. D. Paterson, No. 18348, Highland Light Infantry, who during his frequent illnesses in hospital has not received letters or parcels, but has found as many as seventy-five letters awaiting him on his return to the front, and about a dozen of whose parcels have been returned unopened, the contents spoiled, on the plea that the soldier could not be traced, the last of these returned to his parents on the 10th instant being endorsed by the authorities with the words, "Cannot be traced, return to casualties for particulars," whether he will give instructions to ensure that this man and other men who are retained in Mesopotamia, although they are frequently under treatment in hospital for malaria, may be specially recorded, so that they can receive their parcels and letters as if they were fit and well?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThis question should have been addressed to the India Office, and my right hon. Friend has asked me to give the following reply on his behalf. There already exists at Basra a Returned Letter Office for the Mesopotamia Force to which reports of all admissions to and discharges from hospitals and convalescent depots are sent, in order that the correspondence of invalids may reach them without undue delay. I will have inquiry made as to the reason for the failure of the arrangements in Private Paterson's case.